Greenwich Answer Book
History
May 25, 2007

What is the town’s history?
In 1640 for the price of 25 coats, Daniel Patrick and Robert Feake, settlers from Massachusetts, purchased from the Indians all the land between the Patamuck Creek, which runs along the border of Greenwich and Stamford, and the Asamuck, which is the stream through Binney Park. Soon after, following a massacre at the Indian village of Petuquapaen, English and Dutch settlers acquired more and larger land holdings. Settlements grew along the shore from Stamford to the Byram River and north to the New York State border. Within 50 years there were 52 landowners in Greenwich and by 1730, the boundaries that comprise present day Greenwich were laid out.
For its first 200 years, farming was the town’s major enterprise, but here and there gristmills, sawmills, and cornmills sprang up on local brooks and rivers. Shipping became active along the Mianus River. In the decade before the American Revolution, the town’s population numbered 2,021 whites and 52 blacks.
 During the Revolutionary War, Greenwich sided with the colonists and became a garrison town. Raids by Tories from New York and Long Island were frequent. General Tryon’s men looted and burned the town.
The turn of the 19th century saw the establishment of a town library. Greenwich also became a tollgate along the Post Road. During the first half of this century industry increased with the establishment of the Iron Works, also known as the Rolling Mills, but life in Greenwich was forever changed with the advent of the railroad in 1848. In addition to increasing the ease of transportation, the railroad brought many immigrants: Irish railroad workers, Italian stonemasons and millworkers, German foundry workers, and Polish factory workers.
By 1860, the population increased to 6,500 (only 20 of whom were commuters) and the grand list was pegged at $2.8 million. This time period also saw the founding of the Greenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a telegraph office in town, and steamboat service to New York City. Development of Riverside began.
During the latter part of this century, Greenwich found itself a resort favored by New Yorkers in the summer. Hotels sprang up along the shore and when visitors decided to build homes here, the areas of Belle Haven, Field Point Park, Byram Shore and Rock Ridge were created. The wealthy found a lot to like here and estates bearing the names Benedict, Bruce, Converse, Gimbel, Havemeyer, Mallory, Milbank, Rockefeller, and Teagle were built. Farmland began to give way to developments.
Greenwich experienced growing pains during the early 20th century, with the construction of the much-maligned Cos Cob power plant, overcrowded schools, poor roads, and unhealthy sewage disposal. But there was also progress, with a trolley from Rye to Stamford going through Greenwich and the construction of a modern hospital, the YWCA, YMCA, a new post office, and the Bruce Museum. By the end of World War I the automobile became king, but not without incident. There were 800 car accidents in one year and parking was a problem. The Merritt Parkway cut through Greenwich in 1938, followed by I-95 in 1957. The ensuing suburban sprawl of families escaping the cities once again swelled the population. Some of the grand estates were cut up into subdivisions. The school system was consolidated and town government was reorganized. Major companies including American Can and Avco established headquarters in town. The second half of the 20th century found Greenwich taking a look backward, and establishing two local historic districts. Land for parks and conservation was also set aside.
Adapted from A Short History of Greenwich, Conn.
and Greenwich Historical Collections, Jan. 1976, Bicentennial Issue
from The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich

What are some historic points of interest?
Bush-Holley Historic Site at 39 Strickland Avenue is the home of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich. Although the Bush-Holley House dates from the early 1700s, exhibits focus on various aspects of Greenwich and American history. For information, call 869-6899 or visit online at hstg.org. (See also the Entertainment chapter.)
Putnam Cottage, also known as Knapp’s Tavern, is at 243 East Putnam Avenue. It is believed to have been built by Timothy Knapp in the early 1700s as a home, although later in the century it was used as a tavern and meeting place for Freemasons. It was home to General Israel Putnam during the American Revolution. It has been restored to this time period. For information, call 869-9697 or visit online at putnamcottage.org.

Are there any historic districts in town?
Greenwich has seven historic districts listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and two local historic districts. They include:
Fourth Ward Historic District (1840-1925): 36-37 Church Street, 3-33 Division Street, 10-79 North Field Street, 1-3 Putnam Court, 15-90 Sherwood Place, 11-83 William Street.
Greenwich Avenue Historic District (1878-1940): 20-26 Bruce Park Avenue, 11 Bruce Place, 15-20 East Elm Street, 1-55 East Putnam Avenue, 101 Field Point Road, 2-414 Greenwich Avenue, 2-10 Grigg Street, 5-28 Havemeyer Place, 2-4 Lafayette Court, 18 Lafayette Place, 23-55 Lewis Street, 230 Mason Street, 85-99 Railroad Avenue,, 5-15 West Elm Street, 1-30 West Putnam Avenue.
Greenwich Municipal Center Historic District (1893-1938): 101 Field Point Road; 290-310 Greenwich Avenue; 5, 27 Havemeyer Place.
John Street-Round Hill District (1728-1925): 5, 7 John Street; 456-464 Round Hill Road.
Merritt Parkway (1934-1938): Route 15 and right-of-way between state line and Housatonic River bridge.
Putnam Hill Historic District (1730-1909): 139-279 East Putnam Avenue, 23-48 Maple Avenue, 25-42 Old Church Road, 7 Park Place.
Strickland Road Historic District (1738-1938): 3-10 Loughlin Avenue, 9-43 Strickland Road.
Strickland Road Historic District (1738-1976): 1-11 Mill Pond Road, 14, 25-47 Strickland Road.

What are the oldest houses in town?
Greenwich is blessed with having a number of historic homes. The oldest house in town is the Thomas Lyon House at 1 Byram Road. It dates from about 1690 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Next in line appear to be the Mills-Fitch House at 42 Old Church Road from about 1710; the Samuel Rundle House at 951 Lake Avenue from about 1720; the Bullis-Addington House at 211 West Putnam Avenue from about 1723; the Bush-Holley House at 39 Strickland Avenue and the Knapp’s Tavern (Putnam Cottage) at 243 East Putnam Avenue, both from about 1730; the Nathaniel Ferris House at 265 Taconic Road and Joseph Lyon House at 250 Weaver Street, both from about 1734; and the Henry Franklin House at 216 John Street, from about 1735. Except for the Bush-Holley House and Knapp’s Tavern, the other homes are all private residences.

Why do some houses have little plaques?
The plaques are part of a program called Signs of the Times, established by the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich. The program recognizes historically or architecturally significant buildings in town. Owners of eligible homes may enroll for a fee. The historical society conducts deed research, photographs the house, and presents the owners with a plaque. Each spring there is an annual Signs of the Times Tea, during which the plaques are presented and there is a walking tour of a neighborhood.
Homes that participate in Signs of the Times have no restrictions or protections placed on them in the way buildings placed on state or national registers do. According to the historical society, there were 250 buildings so documented as of 2005.

Who watches over historic districts?
As far as town government is concerned, the Historic District Commission keeps track of all activity in the local historic districts and properties in historic zones. The commission includes five volunteer commissioners and five volunteer alternates who rule on all Certificate of Appropriateness applications. The members, who are nominated by the Board of Selectmen and appointed by the RTM, also advise planning and zoning when questions arise pertaining to historic buildings. The group meets monthly. Susan Richardson is chairman.

Are there any town histories?
Yes, there are four books, all of which are available through the Greenwich Library System:
Ye Historie of the Town of Greenwich by Spencer P. Mead (1911, reprinted 1992, Picton Press, Camden, Maine.
Greenwich Before 2000 — A Chronology of the Town of Greenwich 1640-1999 edited by Susan Richardson (The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich , Greenwich, 2000).
Before & After 1776 — A Second Edition of the Comprehensive Chronology of the Town of Greenwich: 1640-1978 edited by Elizabeth W. Clark (2nd edition 1978, Young Offset Co. Inc.)
Building Greenwich — Architecture and Design 1640 to the Present by Rachel Carley (The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich, printed with William S. Konecky and Assoc.)

What is the role of the Greenwich historical society?
The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich was established in 1931. Its mission is to “collect and preserve the cultural heritage and ongoing history of Greenwich and provide a center for its enjoyment and study at Bush-Holley Historic Site.” The society offers a number of publications and educational programs, research opportunities, and mounts changing (along with its permanent) exhibitions at its historic house museum. It also documents the town’s historic landmarks and sites. For information, call 869-6899 or visit online at hstg.org.

Is there a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution?
Yes. The Putnam Hill chapter is based at Putnam Cottage, 243 East Putnam Avenue. It is the largest chapter in Connecticut and operates Putnam Cottage as a museum. For information, call 869-9697 or visit online at dar.org/chapters/putnam.htm.


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